Renewing our kids future

The project will install a 30kW solar system on the rooftop of the Phillip Island Early Learning Centre in Cowes, with two major aims: - reduce running costs of the building and - use latest technology to display and interpret the building's solar energy production and usage as part of children's early learning of environment and sustainability issues. The installation is projected to reduce energy use at the centre by 25%, which spends between $500-900/month on electricity bills. The installation will include a customised online monitoring system, with data & displays to be used for class-room learning activities.

There is a growing community need to better understand the relative impacts of energy production from fossil fuel or renewable sources, such as solar and wind. There is also a growing need to understand how the community's actions, as an individual or group, impact energy use at home, work and school. Community groups and facility managers also face growing energy costs, which impact their ability to provide their services. This project will both reduce running costs of this popular community facility and educate our youngest generation about saving energy and using renewable sources, and thereby improving our whole community.